| The contemporary embroiderer enjoys an array of | | | | Linen. Lighter weights of linen are well suited for |
| threads that stitchers of yore would envy. Choosing | | | | embroidery. Individual threads are slightly variable in |
| the colors and fibers of threads is one of the most | | | | width within one size; this is part of linene's distinctive |
| exciting tasks that you will undertake as a stitcher. The | | | | character. |
| look of the piece, as well as the experience of stitching | | | | Cotton. Less expensive than wool or silk, cotton is |
| it, will depend on the choices you make. | | | | washable, easy to work with, and is a popular choice |
| One of the pleasures of stitching is the tactile | | | | for embroidery. |
| experience, so consider what kind of fiber you like to | | | | Silk Ribbon. Silk ribbons are very thin and flat, soft |
| handle. Crewel wool or silky rayon, cotton floss or | | | | enough to drape but strong enough to withstand being |
| metallic threads all provide a different experience. | | | | pulled in and out of fabric. |
| Different threads offer varying degrees of difficulty. | | | | Silk. Silk, once a rare and expensive commodity, is |
| Depending on the type of thread and the particular | | | | enjoying renewed popularity and is reasonably |
| stitches you choose, you may need to use a laying | | | | affordable although more expensive than cotton. |
| tool to obtain the results you desire. | | | | Real Metals. Threads made of real gold, silver and |
| Many specialty threads are too heavy to use for | | | | copper are rare and expensive, but beautiful in |
| many embroidery stitches, but may be used as | | | | embroidery projects. |
| couched threads in embroidery. | | | | Specialty and Synthetic Fibers. Many exciting options |
| The many fibers available include the following: | | | | are available to the contemporary stitcher as fiber |
| Wool and Wool Blends. Historically, wool is the | | | | manufacturers develop new fibers for this ever |
| essential thread for crewel work. These lightweight | | | | growing field. |
| wool threads are suitable for this embroidery. | | | | |